Saturday, July 31, 2021

Injury Scout - Adrian Johnson Leaves in Texas

HP Umpire Adrian Johnson left Saturday's #Mariners-#Rangers game in Texas due to an apparent hip injury.

With one out in the top of the 4th inning, Mariners batter Abraham Toro flied out to Rangers left fielder Jason Martin, after which Texas effected a pitching change. Johnson left the field at this time.

Johnson was replaced behind home plate by 2B Umpire and Crew Chief Laz Diaz while 1B Umpire Dan Merzel remained at first base and 3B Umpire Scott Barry remained at third base. Johnson was replaced for Sunday's game by call-up umpire Kyle McCrady.

Relevant Injury History: There is no relevant injury history.

Last Game: July 31 | Return to Play: August 9 | Time Absent: 9 Days | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 120 - Manny Gonzalez (4; Jayce Tingler)

HP Umpire Manny Gonzalez ejected Padres manager Jayce Tingler (strike three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Rockies-#Padres game. With two out and the bases loaded, Padres batter Jurickson Profar took a 0-2 slider from Rockies pitcher German Marquez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.49, pz 1.23 [sz_bot 1.59 / RAD 1.47 / MOE 1.38]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 5-2. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Manny Gonzalez (79)'s 4th ejection of 2021.
Manny Gonzalez now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (12 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 10).
Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 1 point in Crew Division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1).
*This pitch was located 1.8 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 120th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.
This is the 58th manager ejection of 2021.
This is San Diego's 12th ejection of 2021, 1st in the NL West (SD 12; ARI, LAD 3; COL, SF 2).
This is Jayce Tingler's 5th ejection of 2021, 1st since June 6 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Manny Gonzalez's 4th ejection of 2021, 1st since May 9 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres, 7/31/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 119 - Chris Segal (3; Eugenio Suarez)

HP Umpire Chris Segal ejected Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Reds-#Mets game. With one out and two on (R1, R3), Suarez took a 1-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Seth Lugo for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px 0.93, pz 3.01 [sz_bot 3.28]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 4-3. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 5-4, in 10 innings.


This is Chris Segal (96)'s 3rd ejection of 2021.
Chris Segal now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 6).
Crew Chief Mark Carlson now has 10 points in Crew Division (10 Previous + 0 QOCN = 10).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.19 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 119th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.
This is the 46th player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Suarez was 1-4 (HR, SO) in the contest.
This is Cincinnati's 8th ejection of 2021, 2nd in the NL Central (MIL 9; CIN 8; CHC, STL 5; PIT 3).
This is Eugenio Suarez's 1st ejection since July 19, 2019 (Carlos Torres; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Chris Segal's 3rd ejection of 2021, 1st since May 15 (Travis Shaw; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Mets, 7/31/21 | Video as follows:

So You Think MLB Replay Review is Confusing? Wait Till You See Beach Volleyball VAR at the Olympic Games

For all the flack MLB's Replay Review system gets over controversial decisions, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games' use of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system during Team USA vs Canada's Women's Beach Volleyball round of 16 elimination game takes the cake.

With Team USA's Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil facing Canada's Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson in the final set of their match, USA fired up a serve toward the back line of Canada's half of the court, initially ruled out.

Team USA challenged the call and VAR stepped in, ruling after instant replay review that the ball was actually in (touching the line, etc) and awarded the point to USA on the serve's ace.

However, Canada appeared to delay returning to play and the officials then reviewed the review, overturning the overturned call: the point was reassigned to Canada after VAR came back a second time and decided to reverse the earlier reversal and rule the ball out.

For what it's worth, if Beach Volleyball played by MLB Umpire Manual interpretations, this ball would indeed have been ruled to have not touched the line ("When in contact with the ground, a ball must be in contact with fair territory [e.g., the foul line] and not merely over fair territory in order to be adjudged to be fair").

Video as follows:

Friday, July 30, 2021

MLB Ejection 118 - Dan Bellino (2; Gleyber Torres)

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Yankees SS Gleyber Torres (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Yankees-#Marlins game. With two out and none on, Torres took a 2-2 slider from Marlins pitcher Anthony Bender for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 1.06, pz 2.60), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 1-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 3-1.


This is Dan Bellino (2)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.
Dan Bellino now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 1).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 3 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 0 QOCN = 3).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 1.75 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 118th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.
This is the 45th player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Torres was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is New York's 7th ejection of 2021, 1st in the AL East (NYY 7; BOS 5; TOR 3; BAL 2; TB 0).
This is Gleyber Torres' first career MLB ejection.
This is Dan Bellino's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since June 1 (Derek Shelton; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins, 7/30/21 | Video as follows:

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Joey Votto Promises to Respect Umpires in Vow to City

Ejected seven times since 2018, Reds player Joey Votto during post-game comments after Cincinnati's win over Chicago on Tuesday promised to "play the game respectfully" and refrain from future unsporting incidents with umpires.

Votto made the remarks unprompted after the game, although earlier at Wrigley Field, Votto appeared to have made a gesture mimicking a field umpire's check swing call during Votto's at-bat.

Votto spoke of his visits to the Reds' Youth Urban Academy and wanted to make a promise to the children served by the organization: "I’ve been getting into tiffs with umpires of late. There are a few things I don’t really like — breaking or doing damage to equipment, no hustle and no effort, and I don’t like disrespecting or showing up the umpires.

"I want to make a promise to anybody in Cincinnati youth sports that it won’t happen anymore. I want to make that pact with the community. That’s my promise to them, that I will play the game with my heart and play the game respectfully. So now I’m held accountable by my community.”

Votto was not ejected during Tuesday's game and most recently was ejected on July 10, 2021, by Doug Eddings, Votto's second ejection of the season.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 117 - Hunter Wendelstedt (5; Scott Servais)

1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais (ball one call by HP Umpire Adam Beck; QOCN) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Astros-#Mariners game. With two out and two on (R1, R2), Astros batter Aledmys Diaz took a first-pitch fastball from Mariners pitcher Yusei Kikuchi for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the knee (px 0.73, pz 1.96 [sz_bot 1.56]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 2-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 11-4.

This is Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s 5th ejection of 2021.
Hunter Wendelstedt now has 15 points in the UEFL Standings (15 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 QOCN-crewmate = 15).
Crew Chief Hunter Wendelstedt now has 9 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 9).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.22 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 117th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.
This is the 57th manager ejection of 2021.
This is Seattle's 3rd ejection of 2021, T-4th in the AL West (HOU, OAK, TEX 4; LAA, SEA 3).
This is Scott Servais' 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since April 11 (Laz Diaz; QOC = U [Warnings]).
This is Wendelstedt's 5th ejection of 2021, 1st since July 26 (Brooks Raley; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners, 7/28/21 | Video as follows:

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Chicago-Milwaukee's 10-Minute Missed Touch Appeal

During Milwaukee's 6-1 win Saturday vs Chicago, Craig Counsell's Manager's Challenge over HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak's safe call on appeal that White Sox baserunner Yoan Moncada was safe at home plate spurred a 10-minute delay as Tony La Russa questioned the umpires' decision, including Crew Chief Dan Iassogna's acceptance of Counsell's Replay Review request.

The Play: With none out and the bases loaded, White Sox batter Leury Garcia hit a soft ground ball in front of home plate, Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes throwing to catcher Manny Pina as Chicago baserunner R3 Moncada arrived at home plate.

The Call: With the throw out of Pina's reach and striking Moncada (and Rehak), the run was permitted to score. After a subsequent mound visit and before throwing a pitch to ensuing batter Zack Collins, pitcher Burnes stepped off the rubber and threw home to Pina to appeal that Moncada missed home plate, ruled safe by Rehak, who ruled that Moncada legally touched home plate.

Replay Review
: Immediately after Rehak's safe call on the appeal play, Counsell challenged the appeal ruling, resulting in an overturned call when the Replay Official deemed that Moncada had indeed failed to touch home plate.

Controversy: Chicago contended that Iassogna should have disallowed Counsell's challenge because more than 20 seconds elapsed from the initial play at home plate until Counsell's request. However, the umpires allowed the review because Counsell's challenge pertained to Rehak's call on the appeal play, not the initial play, and Counsell did timely file his challenge several seconds (almost immediately) after Rehak's safe-on-appeal call.

Confusion over the Replay Review procedure (which prescribes a 20-second time limit to challenge after an umpire's call) and the appeal play procedure (which can be effected at any time prior to the next pitch, play, or attempted play, regardless of how many seconds or minutes transpire in between [including possible mound visits or other delays]) is apparently so commonplace, MLB saw fit on its website to state, "Appeal plays are not the same as a manager asking the umpire for an instant-replay review."

As to the argument that a request for video review should trump an appeal play (and so should its time limits), refer to Major League Baseball's own Replay Review Regulations: whether a runner touched a base is reviewable, but requires a defensive appeal prior to the Replay Review. In other words, Milwaukee could not have actually requested a review until Rehak ruled on the appeal play.

The Answer
: Thus, this is what happened. The initial play transpires with Moncada scoring. The Brewers do not challenge the ruling that the runner has scored. A mound visit then occurs, after which, and before the next pitch is thrown, Milwaukee appeals that Moncada failed to touch home plate, which Rekah replies to by declaring Moncada did touch the plate. In response, and within the 20-second time limit of Rehak's safe-on-appeal call, Counsell challenges the play. Replay overturns the call based on clear and convincing evidence that Moncada failed to touch home plate.

Mechanics
: Rehak signaled "safe" after Moncada ran past home plate during the initial play. Ordinarily, an umpire makes no call if either the runner has not touched home plate or if the defense never possessed the ball and never actually attempted to tag the runner. This suggests the initial "safe" call communicated something other than the runner's touch of home plate.

Because Burnes' throw hit Moncada, "safe" could also signal there was no interference on the play, or the general "that's nothing" wave off, similar to a "safe" signal given when a batter-runner and catcher incidentally entangle at home plate or an uncaught third strike eludes the catcher: the runner is "safe" simply because the runner is not (yet) out.

Unfortunately, umpiring mechanics are somewhat limited here in that "safe" carries multiple potential meanings.

Sidebar
: The broadcasters mentioned that Chicago should protest the game, and it would be upheld. This is incorrect. OBR 7.04 states, "Protesting a game shall never be permitted, regardless of whether such complaint is based on judgment decisions by the umpire or an allegation that an umpire misapplied these rules or otherwise rendered a decision in violation of these rules."

What the umpires got wrong: When Burnes stepped off the rubber to throw the ball in, Rehak—likely believing that Milwaukee wanted to change baseballs—called "Time" thus declaring the ball dead. By doing so, however, that made any action that followed regarding the appeal attempt void, as if it never happened. The proper call here (other than in keeping play alive, assuming the ball had been put into play after the mound visit) would have been to inform Milwaukee the ball was dead so that the Brewers could return the ball to the mound, allow the umpire to call "Play" to make the ball live, and appeal again.

Realistically: Even though dead ball appeals are not allowed in professional baseball (as opposed to high school, for instance, where they are allowed), the realistic result of this play was an out at home plate on appeal. The umpires could have made Milwaukee execute the appeal again, during live ball action, but the result would have likely been the exact same. It might be time to give the crew chief a microphone.
Related PostTmac's Teachable Moments - Let's Fix Replay (1/19/17).

Video as follows:

Monday, July 26, 2021

MLB Ejection 116 - Hunter Wendelstedt (4; Brooks Raley)

1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Astros pitcher Brooks Raley (throwing at Mariners batter JP Crawford) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Astros-#Mariners game. With two out and the bases loaded, Mariners batter Dylan Moore hit a grand slam off Raley. Ensuing batter JP Crawford then took a 3-1 sinker from Raley for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Crawford in the upper back, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 11-8. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 11-8.

This is Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s 4th ejection of 2021.
Hunter Wendelstedt now has 15 points in the UEFL Standings (13 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 QOCU = 15).
Crew Chief Hunter Wendelstedt now has 9 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 9).

This is the 116th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.
This is the 44th player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Raley's line was 0.0 IP, 2 R, HR, BB, BS.
This is Houston's 4th ejection of 2021, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, OAK, TEX 4; LAA 3; SEA 2).
This is Brooks Raley's first career MLB ejection.
This is Hunter Wendelstedt's 4th ejection of 2021, 1st since June 20 (Eric Hosmer; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners, 7/26/21 | Video as follows:

Canada Briefly Removes Team From Field in Olympics Softball Substitution Controversy

Team Canada briefly left the field during its Olympic Softball game vs Japan when umpires initially sought to prohibit a pitching substitution before ultimately allowing pitcher Danielle Lawrie to re-enter the game in the 5th inning after a rules check. Originally listed as Canada's starting pitcher, Lawrie had been removed in the 1st inning before throwing a pitch.

The WBSC Softball Rules Book allows for re-entry of players and states that all starting players may be substituted for and re-enter the lineup once (Rule 3.2.3e). Teams may designate a Designated Player (DP), which functions similarly to a Designated Hitter (DH), as well as designated a Flex Player, which is the player for whom the DP bats—similar to a pitcher in most American League games.

Because Lawrie never entered the game as a batter, we'll skip the batting order considerations, but when Canada sought to return Lawrie to the game in the 5th, it was an attempted use of starting player re-entry rule 3.2.3e.

Softball does not require starting pitchers actually throw a pitch or face a batter, meaning her 1st inning replacement by DP Sara Groenewegen was legal.

Rule 4.7, entitled Return of Pitcher, states, "there is no limit to the number of times a player may return to the pitching position as long as the player has not left the line-up or been declared an illegal pitcher by an Umpire."

In order words, because Lawrie left the lineup in the 1st inning, she was prohibited from returning an unlimited number of times to the mound, but nonetheless she should have been allowed to return pursuant to WBSC 3.2.3e, which, after a rules check, is precisely what happened.

Sunday, July 25, 2021

MLB Ejections 114-115 - Tim Timmons (2-3; TEX x2)

HP Umpire Tim Timmons ejected Rangers 3B Brock Holt and manager Chris Woodward (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Rangers-#Astros game. With none out and none on, Rangers batter Brock Holt took a 1-2 slider from Astros pitcher Zack Greinke for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.97, pz 2.26), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

These are Tim Timmons (95)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2021.
Tim Timmons now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 2).
Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez now has 9 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 0 QOCN = 9).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.67 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

These are the 114th and 115th ejection reports of the 2021 MLB regular season.
This is the 43rd player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Holt was 0-2 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 56th manager ejection of 2021.
This is Texas' 3/4th ejection of 2021, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, TEX 4; LAA 3; SEA 2).
This is Brock Holt's 1st ejection since July 25, 2019 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Chris Woodward's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since May 2 (Brian O'Nora; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Tim Timmons' 2/3rd ejection of 2021, 1st since June 22 (Joe Girardi; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros, 7/25/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 112-113 - Ron Kulpa, Chad Fairchild (STL x2)

1B Umpire Ron Kulpa ejected Cardinals manager Mike Shildt (untimely Replay Review challenge of call at 1B (out/safe); QOCN) in the top of the 3rd and HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected pitcher Genesis Cabrera (ball four call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Cardinals-#Reds game. In the 3rd, with none out, Cardinals batter Dylan Carlson hit a 1-0 changeup from Reds pitcher Sonny Gray on the ground to third baseman Mike Freeman, who threw to first baseman Joey Votto as Carlson arrived, ruled out by 1B Umpire Kulpa. Shildt's request to challenge the play was denied for untimeliness; replays indicate Carlson's foot touched first base before Votto caught the ball, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 3-2.

In the 8th, with none out and none on, Reds batter Jesse Winker took a 3-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Genesis Cabrera for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.57, pz 1.64 [sz_bot 1.60 / RAD 1.48 / MOE 1.56]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 9-6. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 10-6.

This is Ron Kulpa (46)'s 1st ejection of 2021.
This is Chad Fairchild (4)'s 3rd ejection of 2021.
Ron Kulpa now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 1).
Chad Fairchild now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 1).
Crew Chief Ron Kulpa now has 8 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 2*[0 QOCN] = 8).
*This pitch was located 0.96 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

These are the 112th and 113th ejection reports of the 2021 MLB regular season.
This is the 55th manager ejection of 2021.
This is the 42nd player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Cabrera's line was 0.2 IP, BB, SO.
This is St Louis' 4/5th ejection of 2021, T-3rd in the NL Central (MIL 9; CIN 7; CHC, STL 5; PIT 3).
This is Mike Shildt's 4th ejection of 2021, 1st since July 21 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Genesis Cabrera's first career MLB ejection.
This is Ron Kulpa's 1st ejection since Sept 15, 2020 (Mike Shildt; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Chad Fairchild's 3rd ejection of 2021, 1st since May 15 (Matt Beaty; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7/25/21 | Video as follows: